settings help req

[holty]

going to my first airshow on saturday
looking for some help as to what settings to use
exposure matrix or spot or centre weighted ??

i will be in shutter priority with my nikon 200-500 will 200th sec be fast enough to avoid the shakes ?
single point focus point but might have to make it 9 if plane is to small to lock onto
also going to use continuous focus mode
any help appreciated
thanks

 

[Nod]

Props need slower than jets (to get some blurring in the props to stop them looking like static models) and helicopters need slower still to get better rotor disks. Metering depends. I tend to use spot but then check after the first pass and either dial in some EC if needed or go to manual if the light's constant. I use a single AF point, almost always the centre one and AF/C. If I miss a shot, I miss a shot so rely on Mk 1 eyeballs and grey matter storage! 1/200th should be fast enough to avoid the shakes but too fast for props and helis as discussed before. Go as slow as you dare and shoot lots for a reasonable number of keepers.

Be aware of people in front of you. They've paid to see it, just like you and won't thank you if you clout them round the back of the head with the front of your lens hood!!!

Above all, enjoy the show.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

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I would suggest BBF as a most important setup and continuous focus!

Metering mode depends a lot on the weather and the light conditions.

Speed is relative to your subject as Nod pointed out

CH frame rate to make sure the AF will have a chance to lock on and follow!

Have a good time!

 

[Fuji Dave]

Love airshows, for the blur on the prop planes I go no higher than 1/300 shutter speed and for the jets I hit the 1/1000 or more and I use spot metering. Been doing the Eastbourne and Shoreham airshows here for years and love them, but still learning though.